St. Joseph, Mo. – The Maryville women's golf team sits in a tie for third place after the first round of the Holiday Inn Express Classic hosted by Missouri Western at St. Joseph Country Club. The Saints opened with a round of 317 and are deadlocked with Fort Hays State in the field of nine teams.
 
Fernanda Diaz-Pizarro posted three birdies in her round to start the tournament with a 75 and is tied for fifth overall, just three shots out of first place. Maddie Vanderheyden carded 13 pars on the day to finish tied for 18th at 79. Effie Perakis birdied her final hole of the day at finished with an 81, while Jenna Clark was one stroke back at 82. Chloe Davidson came home at 87 to round out the Maryville efforts.
 
Augustana (S.D.) leads the team standings at 300, while Missouri Western is second, just eight shots ahead of the Saints. Fort Hays State's Morgan Brasser and Florence Phan of Missouri Western are tied for the individual lead at even-par 72.
 
The second and final round is slated to begin Tuesday, March 26, at Noon in St. Joseph, Mo.